Broken Before Use

by Ila Golden

Something strange is happening in Maio. Obin, a Demon Hunter, works hard to keep on top of Maio’s Vampire population. However what should’ve been another routine job soon becomes anything but, thanks to the appearance of strange, feral Vampires. Meanwhile his step-father is busy training up Obin’s replacements, in preparation for them to be called on. Things get only worse, when they’re told they’re needed urgently in Mary’s Vail. Still trying to wrap things up with their current assignment, the inexperienced Jade is sent out alongside Obin, against his wishes, to quickly handle the situation in Maio. However the appearance of the enigmatic Dixon has Obin struggling to control his own worst instincts. That’s fine though, since demon hunting is just a game... Do you want to play? Shadows Beneath The Light When you're living in the shadows, it doesn't matter if you're a demon or a demon hunter, the battle between good and evil isn't always black and white. The Doll Maker's Son is the first arc in the Shadow Beneath The Light series, introducing readers to Maio's band of demon hunters, before uncovering some of Mary's Vail's secrets. Get ready, the Sayu Sen are coming. Do you want to play?

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Paranormal

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2020

About the author

Mixing the pot of magic and realism, Ila Golden is an author of mature young adult fantasy, with a focus on personal relationships and identity exploration. They started creating their unique stories as a child, telling them to their younger brother on long car journeys. As they grew up and matured into a young adult, writing also became an outlet for them to explore their own burgeoning sense of identity, although it would take until their early 30s for them to have the strength and confidence needed to fully realise the unique individual they were always meant to become.

In their spare time Ila enjoys watching a variety of shows and playing video games with their partner, along with taking care of their elderly gerbil Zel-Bell.

If you have enjoyed any of Ila Goldens books please consider leaving a review.

Reviews

[Gill D. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my usual genre but I was pleasantly surprised to get caught up in this intriguing tale of feral vampires and their shenanigans! Great job!

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, although not for the reason I thought I would. As I have come to expect, Ms. Golden has woven a compelling tale: a Doll Maker's son raised to find and kill demons, among them vampires and zombies--but they are not the scariest element of this story, not by a long-shot. Rather than say too much about this book, I will just say, read it! I look forward to finding out what awaits Obin in Mary's Vail!

[Petrina Binney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Obin, stepson of a doll-maker and hunter of vampires, zombies and everything in between. As a teenager, he and the other young recruits are still learning much about themselves and what it is in their blood, family or nature which makes them perfect for the task of slaying the undead. But when Obin discovers the feeling of kinship and connection with a powerful, seductive, dangerous individual, will he see past the manipulation? Will his friends be able to save him in time? Will he discover that blood isn't the be all and end all?

A good story. I liked that it was told partly by Obin himself and then taken up by eager recruit, Jade. Unfortunately, I spent half the book thinking the writer was an American having a crack at an English accent, and the other half thinking the writer was a Brit who'd appeal to Americans.

Phrases like the dreaded 'off of', as well as 'inside of' and 'gotten' (which, although semi-Scottish and sometimes Irish, is mostly American) threw me off and the dialogue sounded more American than anything else to my ear. Nothing wrong with any of that, of course, except the story is set in Britain. A fact I deduced from a reference to British weather and the use of UK English spellings.

Sadly, there were a good number of instances of 'then' which should have been 'than', 'you're' that should have been 'your', 'its' for 'it's' and other spelling errors that put me in editing, rather than reading, mode. That and the repetition of 'I rolled my eyes' or 'he rolled his eyes' - all told 68 eye rolls in the piece, as well as the phrase 'train of thoughts' - plural - distracted me from an otherwise solid story.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in vampire stories started from the movie Twilight and TV show Vampire Diaries. Broken Before Use is the first book that I have read by the author Ila Golden. Story is set in Maio. The story revolves around a teenager Obin Johnson. He is a step-son of James. Obin was trained by his step-father James to learn about the things that may threaten their town and to take them down.

When James and Obin went out at night they met the strange creature Rebecca who is new and has much to learn. Another one is Dixon Blakely. He must be old and powerful and Obin can't take him down alone. So, James wanted to train Jade. Jade is an eighteen years old girl.

James want Jade to be the leader and handle new recruits and and the ferals situation in Maio. So, James and Obin can go to Mary Vail. Read the further story yourself to unveil the suspense.

Language of the book is easy and comfortable. Narration style of the author is remarkable and seems mature. Plot is intriguing. Characterization was stunning. Pace of the story was fine.

Overall it's an interesting story that I recommend highly to my fellow readers.

[David Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked most about this story was the way it didn’t dumb anything down for the audience, jumping straight into an existing world and mythology and letting the reader catch up.

The story scratches the surface of realms within a multiverse, the manipulation of time and curses. There were many fantasy creatures including one very interesting combination. It deals with identity and the traits we inherit from our makers. It deals with our darker desires and what we might be capable of. It felt like we were given just a piece of the pie here in book 1, leaving the world open to be explored in the upcoming books. I like to imagine the name ‘Pike’ comes from Christopher Pike, whose vampire books I read in my youth. While I haven’t really kept up with novels about Vampires since then I have been rediscovering fantasy recently.

I like the way characters developed in unexpected ways. I really enjoyed the style of writing in this book and would recommend picking it up before book 2 comes out. It ended really well and I was impressed with the dialogue and writing style.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a unique story with vampires in it, I really enjoyed that it didn't feel like the typical vampire novel. The characters were great and I enjoyed getting to know them. I look forward to more from the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helena Craggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deliciously dark fantasy.
'Broken Before Use' is a definite page-turner. Golden's world-building and character development are extraordinary. I'm in awe of Golden's writing style. The creation of a multiverse is intriguing and left me wanting to know more. Elements of magic interspaced with differing abilities of the MC's along with vampires and zombie vampires, keep the story flowing. The pace was good, and the suspense was excellent. What awaits Obin in Mary's Vail? We will find out in book two! If you love a great dark fantasy, you should pick this one up.